Liposuction surgery is not a weight loss procedure. It provides body sculpting and contouring by strategically removing fat from key areas of the body. Regardless of the type of liposuction the patient undergoes and the techniques employed, there are both physical and psychological requirements that must be met to be considered an eligible candidate for liposuction.
Physical Requirements
To be a candidate for liposuction the patient must first be within a healthy weight range. Typically the liposuction patient is required to be within 20% of their ideal weight range but some plastic surgeons have their own requirements that range from 15% to 30%. The patient must also be in overall good health and lead a relatively healthy lifestyle.
Regular exercise and knowledge of good diet habits are important for maintaining a healthy and stable weight. Some surgeons will require that the patient demonstrate they can maintain a stable body weight and have not had a major weight gain or loss in the past year.
A liposuction patient will also be screened for pre-existing medical conditions or chronic health problems like diabetes or any active diseases as these may increase the risk of complications during surgery. Remember that any surgery is a serious procedure and any medical conditions need to be disclosed to your plastic surgeon.
The patient should also be off any medications both prescription and over the counter. Smoking can significantly increase the risks and smokers will be asked to quit for at least several weeks leading up to the day of the surgery.
Although it is not a requirement for liposuction, for maximum effectiveness the patient should have a natural elasticity in their skin. This would allow the skin to tighten over the treated areas for optimal results. In cases where there is loose skin after treatment a lift or tuck might be recommended to tighten the skin over the treated area.
Psychological Requirements
Being physically fit is not the only requirement before being eligible for liposuction surgery. This is a serious matter that should not be taken lightly and the mental stability of the patient is just as critical as the physical. The physical alteration of the person’s body can cause those with depression to become more deeply depressed which can lead to other consequences.
The patient must have realistic expectations and clearly defined goals for the treatment. This is how some people become addicted to plastic surgery when they expect all their problems to be solved with a surgical procedure. While liposuction can remove stubborn pockets of fat that refuse to go away with diet and exercise, it cannot eliminate a person’s insecurity or low self esteem.
A patient must also be psychologically strong and understand the consequences of any type of plastic surgery. This includes the good along with potentially undesired outcomes of liposuction surgery. There have been reports of patients suffering from post traumatic stress disorder after the surgery because they cannot recognize their reflection in the mirror.
While we cannot completely eliminate the risks of liposuction surgery the best we can do is respect the limitations of plastic surgery and carefully evaluate the situation before proceeding. Most plastic surgeons are more than willing to assist a patient in determining whether liposuction is the right answer. Talk to your plastic surgeon to determine if you meet liposuction qualifications for surgery and if liposuction surgery is right for you.